Eugene Pirro, 55, is accused of pulling clump of hair from the woman's head and punching and kicking her. Police said that her face and head were swollen and cut, and that she was taken to a hospital for treatment.

A witness told police that Pirro and the women had been arguing in his car in a parking lot at a store on Saybrook Road. The witness then saw Pirro push the woman from the car, and then punch and kick her on the ground, police said.

When the woman tried to get back in the car, Pirro drove off, police said.

Police stopped a short distance away after an officer signaled him to stop. Police said Pirro was "visibly intoxicated and admitted to drinking." Two chemical tests later measured his blood-alcohol content was .2 and .188, police said.

He was charged with second-degree assault, drunken driving, breach of peace and reckless endangerment.

MIDDLETOWN — Voters will likely be asked to approve up to $15 million in additional funding to complete the pump station portion of the project that will link the city with the Mattabassett District in Cromwell.